Ultralase

I have recently had my free consultation at Newcastle. The staff were very friendly and informative but I was the only patient all afternoon! They said it was because the clinic was only recently opened and that they hoped to become busier. The only surgeon working from there comes up from Leeds once a week, a Doctor Annonier. Has anyone who has been to the Leeds clinic any comments about him?

I went for my consultation at the LCRS a couple of weeks ago. D. Jory, the surgeon who I spoke to, was very knowledgeable and took time to answer all my questions fully. Having been turned down in the past by other clinics for LASIK, due to my large pupils and thin corneas, I decided to look into microsurgery, which has a much longer safety record than LASIK. David explained the procedure, and told me my end result would be a -1. I am definitely going to have microsurgery, so all that remains is for me to take a deep breath, pick up the phone, and book an appointment.

I had my treatment at Tottenham Court Road in London, on Friday 11 October. I was treated by Dr Pascal Annonier, who was very calm and reassuring. I was a straightforward myopia case (-4 in both eyes) and it was confirmed the morning after the treatment and again yesterday (11 days after) that I now have 6/5 vision which is excellent. I have to check whether my night vision is not as good, but it has not occurred to me yet. The first few hours after the operation I was very light sensitive, but the next day my eyes already felt almost normal. Service at Ultralase is in general fine; especially on the day itself there were some very friendly nurses who 'talked me through'. I still have dry eyes in the morning and my eyes overcompensate that by tearing/crying for 2-3 minutes and a burning sensation, but apart from that everything's fine. Looking forward to taking of the protection glasses, but obviously care still needs to be taken for the next couple of weeks.

I had bi-lateral surgery on Aug.2nd in Bristol. The procedure was simple and almost pain-free except for the clamp going in to the left eye. My eyes are still gritty and keep closing, six weeks later, even though my vision has improved and for 4 weeks I was unable to stand watching TV or working on the computer. I seem to have developed an intolerance for artificial light. Artificial tears do not seem to help. I cannot argue that my vision is much improved but these side effects are preventing me from working and from enjoying my new sight. Original prescription was -3.5 and -3.75 with astigmatism in both eyes so now, at -1.25 in each eye they are better. The follow-up was brief and they seemed uninterested in the problems I am experiencing, saying that time will improve the situation, but, in the meantime, it is hard for me to work. I don't see anyone else on this web site who has had similar problems so how do I know how long it will take?

I have had a consultation at Tottenham Ct Rd clinic and have been told that I am suitable for LASIK. I found the consultant there very helpful and she answered my millions of questions! Very happy about this because I'm always wanted to have this op, don't like wearing glasses/contacts and have to due to my high prescription (approx -5.5). I've been told that there is a 50% chance that I could suffer from halo vision i.e. thin fuzzy light around fluorescent light at night-time. Have been told that the effect is subjective. I would be very grateful if anyone could let me know of their halo vision experiences and if they thought it was worth having this halo vision to not require glasses anymore? Also, my surgeon will be Pascal Annonier (if I decide to go ahead with it in Jan). If anyone has any info/comments I would be so grateful. Will write again about what decision I have made and if I do have op, how it all went.

Had consultation early August. Told my prescription was very high because of my astigmatism so they could not guarantee results. Also warned me there was a 5% chance that after surgery I would not be able to drive even WITH new glasses/contacts. Who's going to take that risk? After consultation I was passed to a so called "counsellor" who was supposed to talk through the issues with me but she just said "well, you're not having the treatment, bye" or words to that effect.

Well done with this web site, its great to get unbiased information. As I found it so useful I thought it only fair to contribute. I had my surgery at Ultralase Cardiff last Friday by Dr Cherry. Apparently I was an ideal patient for LASIK at -1.25 -2.25. I intend to write a full account but in the meantime here are my experiences to date: Very good preparation, Very poor timekeeping (never been seen on time), so far: average aftercare, operation interrupted by technical difficulties, doesn’t hurt but sure is one of the most unpleasant things I've experienced, mild discomfort and blurred vision for first two days, day 1 aftercare discovered cornea abrasions which weren’t fully explained (apparently occur with 5% of operations), day 3 aftercare abrasions healing vision still blurred test shows small prescription remains. I still have blurry vision and suspect I still have a prescription, Day 7 aftercare tomorrow. So many of your reviewers seem to have miracle 24 hr results, I almost feel hard done by. To summarise: so far I am disappointed with the process and the results but I must confess that I am the most impatient of patients. Watch this space!

My comments are average as I have not been to the Birmingham Clinic yet. I was told I must wear glasses for 7 days before an appointment to let my cornea return to a "normal" shape which has annoyed me. I have to now purchase glasses and wear these for 7 days so far this seems the worst thing!! Other than that the lady I phoned seemed helpful & friendly. I will let everyone here know how things progress. Ray, Dudley, UK

Further to my last posting I have just attended my 6th vist to the clinic in less than two weeks.. I certainly can't complain about the attention and aftercare I am receiveing....Left eye is doing fine but the abrasion on the right is proving a little stubborn in healing... Things are getting better and I have yet another appointment on Saturday to see how things are going... I have decided to publish a diary on the web so that others may benefit from my experience... www.bdprice.alphaphe.com/LASIK.htm

I turned up to have my surgery at Chelmsford only to be told at the reception desk that there were problems with the humidifier. Not a great start! Waited 5 ½ hours and then told to go home! To their credit they did arrange a taxi to take me to Tottenham Court Road the very next morning. Tottenham Court Road was very good and professional and I can’t fault them or the surgery, in fact, the pre-surgery adviser had a lovely pair of eyes herself and I forgot to ask her if she’d had it. The surgery was carried out by Dr Gupta and appeared to go very well although my heart was banging a bit! my problem since is that it is very difficult to find someone within Chelmsford who can re-assure me. My eyes keep going blurry which may, or may not be part of the healing process. I have made several phone calls to Chelmsford and visited them but I always feel un-advised at the end. They have a very good consultation advisor but what about a post-operation advisor? Chelmsford appears very new and slightly un-professional. Hopefully they are improving all the time though.